Savant Syndrome and Autism

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Despite the fact that approximately onlyone in 10[4] individuals with autism have savant syndrome (and approximately 50 percent of savants have an autism spectrum diagnosis), savant syndrome remains among the most mysterious and misunderstood aspects of life on the autism spectrum. The incidence of savant syndrome is an important, if enigmatic, piece in the puzzle of how the human mind works. In fact, Stephen Edelson of the Autism Research Institute[5] has gone so far as to say that the field of cognition will be incomplete unless more light can be shed on the phenomenon of autistic savants. Similarly, Dr. Darold Treffert[6], a world-renowned expert on the subject of autistic savants who has published two books on the subject, says, “When I see some of these cases, I'm in awe of their ability, and struck by that [ability] in relationship to their limitations—and I wonder, 'What does that say about all of us, and about the capacity of the brain itself? What does it say about ability within us all?'”

What Does it Mean to be a Savant?

The original term for autistic savants was idiot savant. The term is French, meaning unlearned skill[5]. Though idiot savant has been replaced by autistic savant in the scientific lexicon, it still appears in Merriam-Webster's dictionary, as “a person affected with a mental disability (as autism or mental retardation) who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (as mathematics or music)—called also savant.” Treffert clears up the ambiguity in the definition by saying, “Not all autistic persons are savants, and not all savants are autistic. Dr. John Langon Down[7] termed that condition 'idiot savant'—by which he meant, an individual with an IQ below 25, a knowledgable person in a specific area—now, it's a reprehensible term.”

Hence, when an individual is referred to as a savant, it can be difficult to tell whether or not the term is meant to signify a lack of functioning in other cognitive areas. Furthermore, there are degrees of ability inherent within the term savant itself. Treffert elaborates, “There are three levels of savant ability: First, there's something called splinter skills—this would be a case with someone who has a talent for memorization above the norm, for example. Then there's something called a talented savant—someone who has a marked talent in one area—and finally, there's something called the prodigious savant—someone with truly extraordinary gifts. There are fewer than one hundred known prodigious savants living, worldwide.”

Popular Conceptions of Savants on the Autism Spectrum

When most people hear the term autisticsavant, their minds jump to the character of Raymond Babbitt, the focus of the film “Rain Man.” However, the person on whom the “Rain Man” main character was based, Kim Peek[8], was not actually diagnosed with ASD. (Raymond was a “composite character,” for whom Kim Peek was a primary inspiration.) In this case, one actor's role has become the basis for an entire cultural conception. Though Peek was not autistic, that performance may indeed deserve its place of primary association, as filmmakers took pains to present an accurate portrayal of savant syndrome and consulted with Treffert throughout the making of the film.

As Treffert recounts, “When the script for “Rain Man” came to Hollywood, they knew that I'd been working in that area, as my “Extraordinary People[9]” book had just come out. They sent the script to me, and they said, we want the movie to be accurate, and to be sensitively done. And I feel they succeeded … all the scenes that you see in the film are based on the lives of actual individuals.” Furthermore, while some critics do not feel that “Rain Man” has earned its place as an iconic representation of the life of an autistic savant, the film has earned its place in the hearts of millions. Treffert captures the film's spirit of transformation and acceptance when he says, “The thing that I really like about the movie is this: Who really changed in that six-day tour? [Raymond's neurotypical] brother Charlie did. To make that change from, 'He's weird,' or, 'He's a retard,’ to, 'This is someone who is differently abled,' … that's key.”

Cultural Fascination with Savant Syndrome

While the release of "Rain Man" may have been the catalyst for the cultural fascination with savant syndrome, a small group of researchers were captivated by the syndrome long before the film was released in 1988. Treffert recalls how his own initial interest in savant syndrome was piqued by meeting Dr. Leo Kanner[10], a pioneer in the field of autism research. Treffert remembers hearing Kanner describe early infantile autism, and being intrigued by the descriptions he heard. After completing his residency, Treffert created a children's unit in the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, where he worked with individuals with savant syndrome. As Treffert says, “Three of them caught my attention. One had memorized the bus system in the city of Milwaukee; another was practically an almanac of everything that had happened on any given day in history; a third was mute and severely autistic, but you could put a two hundred piece jigsaw puzzle in front of him, picture side down, and he could assemble it based upon looking at the geometric shapes.”

Down, Treffert's predecessor in the field of developmental disability, had a similar introduction to the phenomenon in his work with developmentally disabled children. Treffert remembers a talk Down gave, recounting that early experience, “Down described 10 patients, 10 cases of savant syndrome in children—one boy had memorized “The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire"; one would go to operas and come back singing the arias.” For both Down and Treffert, seeing such remarkable ability in an individual with developmental disabilities was astonishing. As Treffert says, “It struck me—how is that possible, to have this jarring juxtaposition of ability and disability in the same individual?” This initial question became a driving force behind his lifetime of research.

Scientific Explanation for the Occurrence of Savant Syndrome

There are a wide range of ability levels encompassed within the scope of savant syndrome. Much as individuals on the autism spectrum have unique and varied ability levels, no two individuals with savant syndrome have the exact same skill sets, or manifest those skills in precisely the same way. Whatever the skill may be, however, if the individual is a savant, their gift is always accompanied by a seemingly-impossible capacity for memorization. Scientists have categorized the skill sets most frequently found in individuals on the autism spectrum with savant syndrome into five general areas of ability: art, music, calendar calculation, lightening calculation, and visual/spatial skills. In most individuals with savant abilities who are on the autism spectrum, the giftedness is focused in skill sets such as mathematics and memorization—that is, right-brain-specific activities.

However, some savants, such as Daniel Tammet[11], have extraordinary left-brain-based abilities as well. Tammet is presently at work creating his own language, which does draw on his extensive knowledge and memorization of other languages (left-brain), but also employs his own special talent for linguistic creation (right-brain). That said, Tammet is an exception; for many savants, their giftedness seems to center in the right brain, often as a result of an injury or neurological condition which impairs left-brain function, or left and right-brain connectivity.

Modern researchers can utilize advances in medical technology, such as CAT scans and MRIs, to study savant syndrome and autism spectrum brain functioning as well. These technologies have opened up new windows into the minds of those with savant syndrome. As Treffert observes, “If we are really going to understand autism and savant syndrome, then we need to see the brain at work. By comparing and contrasting normal function and autistic or savant function, we can learn a lot more about normal functioning and creativity.” Thanks to modern imaging technology, researchers have learned that, when faced with neurological dysfunction, the brain can undergo a process which entails recruitment, rewiring, and release. Treffert sums up that process by saying, “When this occurs, the brain 'recruits' undamaged areas, 'rewires' itself to that area, and with that rewiring comes a 'release' of dormant capacity.” Doctors have observed that, in many cases of savant syndrome, damage to an individual's left hemisphere results in significant right brain compensation.

For example, Peek was born with damage to his cerebellum, and without a corpus callosum, the connective tissue between the right and left brain hemispheres. (He was also diagnosed with Opitz-Kaveggia[12] syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability as well as physiological abnormalities.) However, it was not Peek's intellectual and developmental disability itself which formed the basis for his astonishing abilities. Instead, doctors posit that the disconnection between his cranial hemispheres may have formed the basis for his particular instance of savant syndrome. Current theories surrounding savant syndrome thus highlight the brain's remarkable capacity for adaptation—when injuries and abnormalities occur, savant syndrome can sometimes emerge.

Writing for the Wisconsin Medical Society[4] recently, Treffert noted the work of behavioral neurologist Dr. Bruce Miller[13] may prove to be extremely significant when it comes to our understanding of savant syndrome's neurological basis. Miller and his team have been focused on analyzing brain scans of neurotypical adults who have been diagnosed with a specific form of dementia and, subsequently, developed savant abilities. Intriguingly, Miller has been able to link their precise type of neurological abnormality with that of a teenage savant on the spectrum.

Likewise, Treffert's second book, “Islands of Genius[14],” explores the idea that savants are people who utilize areas of the brain that all of us possess, but seldom access. This theory is supported by cases of individuals who have undergone neurological trauma and subsequently gained extraordinary abilities. Treffert notes, “I've been at this [field of study] since 1962, but the cases [of savant syndrome] that I was studying then were congenital cases—situations wherein a developmental disability was present from birth. But, in about 1980, I began to learn about cases of people who were neurotypical, who had some sort of accident and gained savant abilities; that's called the 'acquired savant'. The big question is, how can you tap that potential without, say, having a stroke?”

Modern-Day Savants: Skills and Supports

How, indeed, can individuals access savant skills without undergoing a neurological trauma? Many individuals with savant syndrome have a history marked by neurological disruptions. Such was the case for Tammet, whose special gifts are believed to have been triggered by a childhood incidence of epilepsy. His prodigious skills in mathematics amaze doctors, but it is his creative ability, as well as his capacity to explain[15] to neurotypical individuals how his mind works, that make him so unique. Likewise, savants such as Stephen Wiltshire[16](who has autism) are excellent examples of individuals who are supporting themselves through their extraordinary gifts. Wiltshire’s remarkable ability to memorize and recreate entire cityscapes has earned him world-wide fame. Wiltshire lives with family in London, and with their support, he owns his own gallery, publishes books, gives sizable donations to charity and earns considerable income through his art[17].

As Wiltshire's case illustrates, caregivers and parents play an essential, often-overlooked role in such autistic savant success stories. Treffert describes savant syndrome as a three-legged stool. The first leg is idiosyncratic brain function; the second is skill formation; and the third is support of the skill. The three-legged stool image highlights the need for a support person or team that can nurture natural ability, provide practical supports, and empower the individual with savant syndrome to learn and grow. “In watching caregivers over the last few decades, I've witnessed the power of care and love and concern,” Treffert comments. “I've learned as much about that as about synapses and neurons.” Treffert cites the Tailor Institute[18] (which focuses on helping individuals on the autism spectrum to develop their savant abilities, and utilize those abilities in the workplace) and Hidden Wings[19] (a volunteer-based organization that seeks to bridge the gap from adolescence to adulthood in autism services) as two organizations doing vital support work for autistic savants.

Although individual stories of prodigious savant syndrome continue to fascinate scientists, these instances are also discouraging in their rarity. One of the major challenges facing scientists researching savant syndrome is the fact that prodigious savants are few and far between, and located all over the world. As such, Treffert has developed a savant syndrome registry, which presently lists approximately three hundred savants on the autism spectrum from throughout the world, along with their differing skills, abilities, and limitations. Researchers in the field hope to utilize that data in order to study the phenomenon of savant syndrome as a whole, allowing for a much wider sample size than in previous, limited studies.

Still More Questions

While modern scientific research and technologies have shed light on the biomechanics of savant syndrome, larger questions of brain functioning in individuals with savant syndrome on the autism spectrum still remain. Likewise, questions of human capability are intertwined within discussions of savant syndrome; in studying the minds of savants, researchers hope they will eventually understand how neurotypical individuals can harness the brain's amazing and untapped capabilities.

Although more neurological and sociological research is needed to gain greater understanding of savant syndrome and autism alike, one thing is clear: Individuals on the autism spectrum with savant syndrome need to be both celebrated for their gifts and supported in their areas of need. In his decades of study, Treffert has met many families of individuals with autism and savant syndrome. He sums up the perspective of the parents, siblings, and caregivers he has encountered by noting,“They're not concerned about what's missing [in their loved one], they're excited about what's there.” And their excitement helps society as a whole to move toward a place of greater understanding and compassion.